SAP, Microsoft link software

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published 10:00 pm, Tuesday, April 26, 2005

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Microsoft Corp. and SAP AG said yesterday they had developed a new product to link their business software programs in a further cooperative step between the world's leading software producers.

The companies said the initiative would help companies change the way their workers access information and analyze data.

The product will link SAP software to Microsoft's ubiquitous Office suite, letting users funnel data from SAP software through Microsoft. That should make it easier to integrate SAP processes, such as time management, budget monitoring, travel and expense management, directly into Microsoft Office.

For example, the companies said, workers would be able to synchronize information between SAP and Microsoft's Exchange Server software, which manages e-mail, as well as retrieve SAP information in Microsoft Excel and submit data via Microsoft Office InfoPath.

The program is set to be released to customers during the fourth quarter of 2005, the companies said.

"The creation of this powerful new joint product builds on SAP's 15-year strategic relationship with Microsoft," said Shai Agassi, president of the Product and Technology Group and member of the executive board of SAP.

Last year, Microsoft initiated merger talks with SAP but called off the deal after deciding it would be too complex. Since then, the two companies -- the world's No. 1 and No. 3 software makers -- have been approaching one another in an effort to stave off competition from rivals IBM Corp. and Oracle Corp.